“—the railroads purchased the state legislators, who then sent the railroad candidate to the senate-—”
Is that significantly different from what we have today? The special interests give lots of money to certain candidates, regardless of whether they are in their state or not. Even Scott Brown got money from conservatives in other states.
-it isn’t much different—and is why I feel that this “repeal the 17th amendment” stuff is so much silliness—does anyone seriously think that the present California state legislature, for example, would elect anyone different than Boxer or Feinstein?